Show Me the Stars

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The clicking of the lock signaled that Emma had finally bent it into submission. She grinned triumphantly as she stood to her feet. “Bingo.” Emma has set her latest mechanical creation, something vaguely resembling a box with a funnel on top, on the ground beside her while she worked, and now she scooped it up. She fired a smile over her shoulder at Isaiah as she pushed the door open. “Come on!”

Yes, this area was technically off limits. But only because one of the tunnels led to the machinery powering the air scrubbers, and it wasn’t like they were going that far down. Besides, there were at least two locked doors between them. And as long as those doors stayed closed, it was highly unlikely anyone would even know they were in here. Most of the guards didn’t even come down here. Which made it the perfect place to test out Emma’s little project. And maybe make use of some pilfered weed.

The room they entered was large and almost completely dark save a small emergency light over the door across the way. Its only real contents were the pipes running along the ceiling. No matter. They weren’t here for the furniture. “Hold the door a sec, will you?” She needed a little light to see by. Emma headed for the middle of the room and set down the box she was carrying. She had yet to tell Isaiah what it was. It was more fun as a surprise. She pointed the funnel up at the ceiling and tweaked its position a bit, looking up as she did so. Then she flipped a small switch on the side and a low whirring started.

A second later a purplish blue light appeared across the ceiling with white dots interspersed in various patterns. Stars. Emma grinned, her face illuminated by the glow. Not quite the night sky, but about as close as they could get down here. “Okay, close the door.” The darker the room, the brighter her fake sky. She leaned back on her elbows as she stared up at the star-speckled ceiling. It was only a matter of time before someone started looking for the cannibalized projector parts and she had to dismantle her little creation. But until then, she fully intended to enjoy it. And who better with than her favorite partner in crime?

Isaiah Riggs
*attempts to lure out the Iah muse with mischievous cuteness*

[Isaiah Riggs]

@emma You succeeded! XD  Isaiah loved Emma, he really did, as much as one could love a best friend but there were times when he really wondered why. If there was one thing that Emma was really good at, it was getting into trouble and Isaiah felt like he got dragged into it way more often than he should of been. Not everyone had an uncle in the security detail. But Isaiah knew, as much as he wanted to complain, that he loved it. Emma was his best friend and Isaiah held a love for the thrill of the little adventures they went on, as much as they always scared him half to death. He was, after all, the guy who used to be a curious and trapped kid. He knew most of the restricted areas in the mountain, all the crawling holes that were child-sized.  Some places seemed too far though, particularly the door that Emma had just opened. Isaiah heard the click and could hear the grin in Emma's voice. "Great," Isaiah said, the worry seeping into his quiet voice. He watched her pick up the box that she had brought with her, the one she refused to tell Isaiah about, and followed her through the door into trouble. The darkness was sudden and swallowed Isaiah and Emma, leaving nothing but the glow from the exit sign and the light through the ajar door they had just walked through. It was eerie but Isaiah wasn't about to say something like that to Emma. "So, gonna tell me what that thing is yet?" Isaiah asked as he held the door open at Emma's request. "Or why we're here exactly?"  As Emma moved further into the room, setting the box down and fiddling with it. Isaiah switched between watching her and checking to make sure no one was going to walk past and see them. That would ruin whatever plan Emma had, no doubt about it. He was glancing out the door when a new sound began and the dark room lit up. Isaiah turned instantly, eyes taking in the sight of the stars now projected onto the ceiling, his face relaxing into a smile. "Questions answered." Now that was definitely a reason why Isaiah loved Emma, she was a genius and she knew how much Isaiah would love this idea she had. Just as Isaiah knew how much she was enjoying it as well. He shut the door, moving quickly to Emma's side with the light that her creation gave to the room. The stars on the ceiling looked as bright as Isaiah imagined the real stars would be. Isaiah's eyes glittered, white dots reflected in them as he just appreciated the view. Then he looked down at Emma, "Who needs to actually go outside when we've got you around?" Still grinning, Isaiah sat down on the ground, not really caring too much if it was dirty. Which it likely would be. This wasn't the sort of place that got cleaned. He tiled his head towards Emma, an invitation for her to sit as well and found it difficult to keep his eyes away from the stars she had made. "So," he began after a moment of silence, "Where did you get the parts for this?" He might worry how much trouble she would get into for an inappropriate use of parts but then, Emma never really got into trouble.

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As usual, Isaiah was worried about trouble. Which was probably fair given Emma’s track record. But wasn’t the risk exactly what made these little adventures fun? Besides, Emma knew Isaiah enjoyed it. Most of the time. Her grin widened further at his curiosity over her little invention. “You’ll see in a minute.” And he was going to love it. “And we’re here because nobody will look here.” People were great and all, but there was something to be said for hanging out with only her best friend. And privacy could be a little tricky in this mountain. There were only so many hiding places.

The surprise was definitely worth the wait. Isaiah’s smile was bright enough to match Emma’s own. That was reason enough to be proud. Emma settled down on the ground beside Isaiah, her eyes bright as she stared up at the ceiling. It was beautiful. If she squinted, it almost looked real. With a soft blanket and a recording of Earth sounds, it just might pass for reality. “I’d still love to see them for real.” Emma would’ve gladly given a literal arm and a leg for that chance. How could someone in here not want that? She glanced over at Isaiah’s face illuminated in the glow. “If you could see something above ground, anything at all, what would it be?" For Emma, it had always been the stars. But to be honest, she'd take most any part of that dream. Just the freedom alone would be incredible.

She leaned back on the floor with her arm behind her head so she could take in all the little patterns. She had spent days studying constellation placements and star sizes. If she was going to do this, it would be done right. Clearly the work had paid off. She shrugged nonchalantly in answer to the question. “I took a few odds and ends from the shop.” Technically an abuse of her position, but who would notice? “Most of it was an old projector. I can always put it back together if they need it.” Although she was really hoping they didn’t. “Personally, I think this is a way better use for it.”

Isaiah Riggs